Students donated more than 400 toys to children who are served by Cherokee County DFCS. Here, kindergartners Macy Osako, Gavin Beasley, Stacy Marquez-Morquecho and Alex Dioguardi drop off their donations.

Cherokee County School District

Little River Elementary, Dec. 19

Children's author and Little River alumna Laura Barron visited the school to read from her new book, "Eli's Envy." Barron, who is also an attorney, donated an autographed copy of the book to the school library. A portion of proceeds from sales of "Eli's Envy" go to HOPE 2 AFRICA.

Cherokee County School District

Bascomb Elementary, Dec. 19

The school's 2nd graders recently celebrated the "12 Days of Giving." Every day for 12 days, they collected items for a different group of people in need, which taught them all about the joy of helping others.

Cherokee County School District

Oak Grove Elementary, Dec. 19

The school chess club is having a banner year; it teaches students about strategic thinking and creative problem-solving. Here, students Brody Yarbrough and Mason Howell engage in some friendly competition.

Cherokee County School District

Mountain Road Elementary, Dec. 15

Gabrielle Orrico, a 3rd grader, won the Farm City Week poster contest sponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau. She received a Walmart gift card, while her teacher, Ashlyn Grummer, was given local honey by the Farm Bureau.

Students engaged in a Penny War to raise money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Altogether, the school raked in $764.71. Teacher Heather Smith (pictured) and her students raised the most money with $157.52.

Cherokee County School District

Creekview High, Dec. 13

The school's rife team won first place in the Cherokee County championship meet last week, racking up 606 points.
FRONT ROW: (l-r) Lexi Smith, Tyler Brady and Heather Mazur
BACK ROW: (l-r) Stewart Carver, Nick McClendon and Vincent Alvarez

The school partnered with BJ's Wholesale Club to put up a Giving Tree where students could donate holiday gifts for disadvantaged children.
(l-r) Assistant principal Kim Montalbano, BJ's Wholesale Club public relations representative Susie Meacham, principal Kerry Martin and school counselor Bob Jordan

Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) collected and wrapped holiday gifts for local children in need. "This program is sponsored annually by SGA, and adds extra meaning and joy for all at Creekview High School, knowing they will brighten a child's Christmas morning with something special under the tree," principal Dr. Bob Eddy said.
(l-r) Creekview SGA students Clair Post, Jon Hilton and Adam Prather

Cherokee County School District

Teasley Middle, Dec. 7

Students pitched in to help media specialist Stephanie Patterson with her Media 21 capstone project, which involved collecting items for the Cherokee Family Violence Center and educating young people about domestic violence.
(l-r) Patterson, Meg Rogers of the Cherokee Family Violence Center and Teasley family consumer science teacher Mary Ellen Epperson

Students prepared 12 baskets, each of which contained a full Thanksgiving dinner, for needy families in the community. Here, Ms. Allen's 2nd grade class crowds around one of the baskets.

Cherokee County School District

Avery Elementary, Nov. 28

The school recently held its annual Veterans Breakfast to recognize community members who served their country. About 60 vets attended, including retired Army Lt. Colonel Terry Lloyd and his wife Jan, who visited their grandchildren, cousins Issac Martin (1st grade) and Micah Towns (2nd grade).

Cherokee County School District

Etowah High, Nov. 28

Three outstanding volleyball players, all of whom made the 2011 All Area Team, will be recognized by the school board during its Dec. 1 meeting: Jenna Wilt (who will play for Kennesaw State University in the fall), Megan Emery and Simmie Bray.

Cherokee County School District

Holly Springs Elementary, Nov. 28

Students are participating in the Great American Can Round-Up, a movement that encourages schools to recycle aluminum cans in exchange for cash.

Several servicemen and women were invited to the school's Veterans Day ceremony, where they were treated to a catered breakfast, chorus performance and poetry reading. Here, student Dalton Bobo reads a special poem to the veterans in attendance.

Cherokee County School District

Boston Elementary, Nov. 11

Lt. Sandy Thomas with the Joe Foss Institute taught 4th grade students all about the history of Veterans Day.

Cherokee County School District

Clayton Elementary, Nov. 11

The school hosted about 40 veterans for Veterans Day, including Johnny McPherson (pictured with his grandchildren, Peter and Grace).

Cherokee County School District

Liberty Elementary, Nov. 11

More than 28 servicemen and women visited the school for Veterans Day. They talked to students about their lives in uniform, as did 2nd grade teacher and Teacher of the Year Tiffany Wilson, who used to be a Marine.

Cherokee County School District

Mountain Road Elementary, Nov. 11

More than 50,000 Georgia students entered the Falcons First Down for Fitness MVP contest, but only 11 were selected, including Mountain Road 5th grader Nicholas Letizia. He was chosen because of his commitment to a healthy life and showing sportsmanship in everything he does. Here, Nicholas stands between PE teachers Amanda Anderson (l) and Kristy Reidy.

Cherokee County School District

Little River Elementary, Nov. 11

PFC David Wellman stopped by the school to visit Aimee Collins, his 1st and 3rd grade teacher. Ms. Collins was thrilled to see her former student all grown up and serving his country. PFC Wellman will deploy for Afghanistan at the end of November.

Cherokee County School District

Oak Grove Elementary, Nov. 11

Students celebrated Veterans Day by making posters of their family members who have served our country in the armed forces.

Cherokee County School District

Liberty Elementary, Nov. 10

The school newspaper, 'The Pride's View,' is now in its second year and is still as popular as ever; last year, it received more than 300 submissions from students. "We couldn't be more proud of our staff," newspaper co-sponsor Cristina Vaulk said. "The newspaper is truly a reflection of all of our students at Liberty."

Cherokee County School District

Johnston Elementary, Nov. 9

Two Cherokee County K-9 officers and their dogs visited the school for Red Ribbon Week and talked to students about the dangers of drugs. Here, Sgt. Matthew Azaroff poses with his dog, Marco.

Cherokee County School District

Sequoyah High, Nov. 9

The drama club placed second in the Region AAAA One Act Play Competition for its production of Arthur Miller's 'All My Sons.' Student Benjamin Fierke was also named Best Actor. Sequoyah has placed in the regional competition every year for the past 21 years.

Cherokee County School District

Mountain Road Elementary, Nov. 4

A number of students qualified for the school's chapter of the Beta Club this year. To be eligible, a student must receive straight As for at least two consecutive school years and be of outstanding moral character.

Cherokee County School District

Creekland Middle, Nov. 3

During Red Ribbon Week, the student council hosted a food drive for Hope Quest, an agency that assists people who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Creekland students (including Ms. McDonough's 8th grade homeroom, pictured) collected thousands of necessities for the charity.

Several local businesses came to the school's annual Career Day to provide students with information on a variety of jobs.
David DeSantis (r), owner of Peace Love and Pizza, teaches principal Kerry Martin and counselor Bob Jordan how to toss pizza dough.

Cherokee County School District

Avery Elementary, Oct. 26

The third annual Boosterthon Fun Run was a huge success. All of the money raised will go directly to the school, including the music program, physical education department and media center.
(l-r) 2nd grader Sarah Mejia, principal Letitia Cline, 2nd grader Hannah Martin and 2nd grader Maggie Phillips

Cherokee County School District

Macedonia Elementary, Oct. 25

The PTA recently held its annual Fall Family "Round Up" Festival, which is a time for families to enjoy a few hours of fun and bonding. "It was a true success," principal Tammy Castleberry said. Here, student Alexander Henrich gets crazy colors sprayed in his hair at the festival.

Cherokee County School District

Johnston Elementary, Oct. 25

Beth Ann Newman, a lifestyle instructor for WellStar Health System, spoke to 3rd graders about Internet dangers and how to play it safe while online.

Cherokee County School District

Sequoyah High, Oct. 24

They've done it again! The marching band placed first in its class in the Heart of Georgia Marching Band Competition in Warner Robins on Oct. 22. Sequoyah High has outscored more than 20 other schools so far this season.

Cherokee County School District

Teasley Middle, Oct. 24

Three teachers, including 8th grade language arts instructor Rebekah McKinney, won Bright Ideas grants from Amicalola EMC. McKinney plans to use her $245 gift to buy an iPad for her classroom.
(l-r) Amicalola EMC board members Travis Cline and John Bennett Jr.; McKinney; and Charles Gibson, CEO of Amicalola EMC

A total of 289 students have perfect attendance so far this school year, including 1st graders (l-r) Gareth Geddes, Mary Grace Wilkie, Morgan Gantt, Rachel Lewis and Bethany Patton. They were rewarded with 30-minute sessions in an inflatable castle.

Cherokee County School District

Indian Knoll Elementary, Oct. 20

Tuesday was the 50th day of school, and students and staff honored the occasion with a 1950s-inspired party where they watched "I Love Lucy" and danced the day away at a sock hop.
Principal Ann Gazell (l) and assistant principal Susan Bruno get picked up for the dance in assistant principal Richie Carnes' Ford Galaxy 500.

Cherokee County School District

Clayton Elementary, Oct. 20

Tuesday was the 50th day of school, and 4th graders Jacob McGhee and Avery Grier were ready to rock and roll in their 1950s-inspired outfits.

Cherokee County School District

Sequoyah High, Oct. 18

The marching band recently participated in the Hart County Band Competition, where it earned straight Superior ratings in all categories and was named the best band in Class AAAA.

Cherokee County School District

Oak Grove Elementary, Oct. 17

Shaun Sudberry's kindergarten class won Acworth's scarecrow contest with their creation, based on the title character from David Shannon's "David" books. The students received gift certificates and a pizza party for their hard work.

Cherokee County School District

Holly Springs Elementary, Oct. 17

Author Todd Key (pictured with principal Dianne Steinbeck) attended Family Reading Night on Oct. 13, where he entertained students and parents with a dramatic reading of his book, "What's in My Pocket?"

Cherokee County School District

Mountain Road Elementary, Oct. 14

Students came together to help a classmate, 4th grader Noah Brooks, who has diabetes and participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes on Oct. 15. Each child paid $1 for the privilege of wearing a hat to school, ultimately raising $260 for diabetes research.
(l-r) Student council vice president Molly McNeil, president AnnaBeth Bedsole, Noah Brooks and Mountain Road principal Tammy Sandell

The annual "Sock Hop Day" teaches children the benefits of being in shape and physically active. Here, 2nd grade student Katie Slanina hula-hoops as one of many fun physical activities organized by the Knox PTA.

Macedonia participated in the Jumpstart Read for the Record Day to raise money for the Cherokee County Ferst Foundation, which provides books for disadvantaged children. Students and teachers each paid $1 to come to school in their pajamas, which netted $645 for the charity. Principal Tammy Castleberry, pictured with 1st grade student Izzy Fenech, visited classrooms to read "Llama Llama Red Pajama" to the children.

Cherokee County School District

Oak Grove Elementary, Oct. 7

Students participated in a bus safety course that taught them how to properly board and exit their school buses, and stay safe at the bus stop.
(l-r) Alanna Puckett, Parker Baker and Kamden McQuaid

Cherokee County School District

Macedonia Elementary, Oct. 6

The Writers of the Month were treated to a special limousine ride and lunch at the Canton O'Charley's on Oct. 5.
(l-r) Students Cole Usmann, Matthew Bowker, Natalie Worosz, Michelle DiBattista, Alexis Burley and Noelle Harrington with assistant principal Matt Harper and 5th grade teacher Brooke Hopkins

Cherokee County School District

Freedom Middle, Oct. 6

Seven Freedom students live with Type 1 diabetes, and the school will hold a Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes walk benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in their honor on Friday, Oct. 14. Several students have stepped forward to help organize the walk and raise money, including the five pictured.
FRONT ROW: (l-r) Alexis Whitfield, Victoria Charles and Victoria Albro
BACK ROW: Jacob Gabelmann (l) and Michael Spain

Cherokee County School District

Clayton Elementary, Oct. 5

Thanks to the generosity of several Partners in Education, the school was able to create a Junior Master Gardener program to teach students about horticulture and give them an opportunity to beautify their campus. Here, Michael Woody, Aiden Lauzon, Sean Lauzon and Hunter Harris play in the dirt.

Cherokee County School District

Macedonia Elementary, Oct. 5

Macedonia teachers are showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For a $20 donation to cancer research, they are granted the privilege to "dress down" in denim and pink on Mondays in October. This campaign has raised $700 so far.

Health teacher Donna Ross was named the Georgia K-12 Health Education Professional of the Year by the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. Ross (r, with principal Elaine Daniel) will be recognized at a ceremony later in October.

Cherokee County School District

Arnold Mill Elementary, Oct. 4

The school chorus performed for customers at BJ'S Wholesale Club in Woodstock -- one of Arnold Mill's much-appreciated Partners in Education.

Cherokee County School District

Cherokee High, Oct. 4

School nurse Jodi Perry (l, with principal Debra Murdock) received an Early Bird grant from Amicalola EMC as part of its Bright Ideas Grant campaign for local schools. Perry will use the money to purchase new equipment for Cherokee High's Health Care Occupations Pathway program.

Cherokee County School District

Mill Creek Middle, Oct. 4

Louise Robinson (seated) was named the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. The 8th grade language arts teacher is pictured with Mill Creek principal Elaine Daniel.

Cherokee County School District

Holly Springs Elementary, Oct. 4

Jennifer Waters' 5th grade class was treated to breakfast by principal Dianne Steinbeck (pictured with students Gabrielle Boone, Judson O'Connor, Orissa Bazzell and Hunter Schneider) for having no absences, tardies or early check-outs for a whole week. "We are trying to improve our attendance here at Holly Springs and this is one thing we are doing to recognize positive steps toward our goal," assistant principal Deborah Kelly said.

Cherokee County School District

Boston Elementary, Oct. 4

Matthew Golcan, a longtime friend of Boston Elementary, has already begun donating supplies for the school's annual Fall Festival, including 320 two-liter bottles of soda. The Fall Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kathleen Zackery has been named the 2011-12 Teacher of the Year. She has been at Oak Grove for 11 of her 18 years as a 1st grade teacher. Zackery is working on a doctorate in language literacy at Georgia State University, but when she's not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family.

Cherokee County School District

Johnston Elementary, Sept. 27

The Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, sponsored by the Service League of Cherokee County, has major backing from the teachers at Johnston Elementary. School faculty and staff members even bought T-shirts to promote the event, which benefits disadvantaged children in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County School District

Sequoyah High, Sept. 23

Elaine Dasher, who teaches AP Literature and Composition, received a $1,482 grant from the Sawnee EMC Foundation's Bright Ideas program. Dasher will use the money to purchase Amazon Kindles for her classroom, which will increase her students' access to thousands of books.

Cherokee County School District

Johnston Elementary, Sept. 16

Student Council members and 1st grade students invited their local firefighters to come to the school for Firefighter Appreciation Week. "Students were excited by the two trucks and all the firemen that came," said principal Kathleen Chandler.

Cherokee County School District

Clayton Elementary, Sept. 16

Students (l-r) Hannah Williams, Kate Rogers, Braesen Parker and Erich Hofstetter, all 3rd graders, wrote and signed their own Constitution in honor of Constitution Day, which falls on Sept. 17.

Cherokee County School District

Woodstock Elementary, Sept. 16

In honor of Constitution Day, students (l-r) Katie Gilliam, Joshua Mattis, Amber Huang and Vinnie Dennigmann performed an historical skit for the morning announcements.

Cherokee County School District

Little River Elementary, Sept. 16

Tommy Bliss's parents, Karen and John, work as aeronautical engineers for NASA. They came to Tommy's 2nd grade class to read "Exploring Space with an Astronaut" -- an astronaut with whom Karen Bliss once worked -- to the children.

Lauren Abrams, a 3rd grade teacher, honored the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by making a memorial quilt with squares of artwork created by her students, including (l-r) Elizabeth Akins, Steven Wheeler, Noah Sherman, Gabriel Wohlgemuth, Ashley Wichers, T'Kai Mazon, David Fouts, Lily Cohran and Tea Bremner.

Cherokee County School District

Avery Elementary, Sept. 15

State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) visited the school to give a presentation on the democratic process and the governmental role of Georgia Legislature. He is joined here by 4th graders (l-r) Trent Dupree, Jack Eno, Kiley Cannegieter and Madeline O'Connell.

Cherokee County School District

Mountain Road Elementary, Sept. 15

Students schoolwide gathered pledges for roughly $24,000 in donations during the Boosterthon Fun Run, sponsored by the Mountain Road PTA, on Sept. 8. Baylen Levine, a Mountain Road 5th grader, personally raised more than $1,000.

Students recently engaged in a friendly "Penny War" where they dropped pennies (each worth a "point") and silver coins (worth negative points) into jars attributed to each grade level. The Penny War netted $4,927.51 for the Macedonia PTA.

Cherokee County School District

Knox Elementary, Sept. 12

Students in 3rd grade, led by teacher Jennifer Gramza, honored Cherokee County firefighters with food donations for Firefighter Appreciation Week. Gramza is pictured with firefighters Mike Skibicki and Chris Buckner.

Sarah Tarpley, who assists special education students in 4th and 5th grades, has been named Arnold Mill's 2011-12 Teacher of the Year.
(l-r) Assistant principal Kim Montalbano, Tarpley and principal Kerry Martin

Sydney Garcia and her grandmother Sandra Garcia were all smiles at Avery's First Grade Grandparent Breakfast

Cherokee County School District

Knox Elementary, Sept. 8

Fred Weir, the owner of two Zaxby's restaurants in Cherokee County, spoke to Knox 5th graders about the economy and the business world. He also treated the students to Zaxby's chicken tenders and fries!

Pam Teems, a career tech teacher at Etowah, is one of only 40 educators nationwide selected to participate in a weeklong food science workshop in Washington, D.C. Teems will also attend a follow-up program in Seattle in December and host a food safety workshop at Etowah High for other Georgia teachers next May.

Cherokee County School District

Little River Elementary, Sept. 2

Jeff Moon, City Manager of Woodstock, recently spoke to Debbie Brown's social studies class. His speech tied in to the students' lessons in local government, effective citizenship and getting involved in their communities.

Susan Harris, a 6th grade language arts teacher, is Clayton's 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. Harris began her career in 1976; since then, she has taught in three counties, seven schools and grades spanning kindergarten through 11th.

Kerri Schmitt has been named the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. Schmitt, who has been with Creekview since the school opened in 2005, is a special education science teacher and coaches girls' soccer.

Cherokee County School District

Hickory Flat Elementary, Aug. 30

The 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year at Hickory Flat is Rollins Caglioni, who teaches 5th grade.
(l-r) Principal Keith Ingram, Ms. Caglioni and her husband Mike

Cherokee County School District

Creekland Middle, Aug. 30

Math Success, a new course offered by teacher Ron Schwarzman, teaches students the fundamentals of math through hands-on discovery, such as using Box and Whiskers graphs to compare the climates of various cities across the country.

Cherokee County School District

Creekland Middle, Aug. 30

"Math is fun!" said 7th grader Rachel Turner (r), pictured with her friend Jessica Stephens. Both are students in Schwarzman's Math Success class. "I enjoy working with my best friends while I'm learning," Jessica said.

Cherokee County School District

Creekland Middle, Aug. 30

Math Success students Justin Waters (l) and Jacob Godfrey work on graphs; Schwarzman encourages his students to assist each other on classroom assignments.

Cherokee County School District

Bascomb Elementary, Aug. 29

Kindergarten teacher Laura Wagner (l) has been named the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. She is being honored here by principal Ruth Flowers.

Cherokee County School District

Sequoyah High, Aug. 29

Kim Geddes (pictured in the lab with students Priscilla Rojas, Kristen White and Megan Cargin) has been named the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. She has taught science at Sequoyah High for seven years after spending 16 years working as an engineer in the nuclear power industry. Geddes is also the school's coordinator of the Governor's Honors Program and founded the Sequoyah robotics program, which has competed multiple times at the national level.

Cherokee County School District

Knox Elementary, Aug. 26

Faculty members held a Curriculum Night to educate parents on what to expect for the upcoming school year, including important dates and their children's courses of study. Pictured here are parents Kellie Cox and Melissa Hands (front row), and Kim Jiles and Marline Olivier (back row).

Cherokee County School District

Holly Springs Elementary, Aug. 26

ESOL teacher Brenda Smith (r) has been named Holly Springs' 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year. She is being congratulated here by principal Dianne Steinbeck.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. -- Tons of great things are happening in the Cherokee County School District this year, and we want to make sure that the students' and teachers' many accomplishments get the recognition they deserve.

This photo gallery will live on the Acworth, Canton and Woodstock community pages all semester long, and will be periodically updated with the good news that we receive from Cherokee County schools.